What are the best practices for using const in C++?

What are the best practices for using const in C++?

Using const in C++ helps to prevent accidental modification of variables. Here are some best practices:

1. Use const for variables that should not change after initialization.
2. Use const for function parameters when the function does not modify them.
3. Use const member functions to indicate that they do not modify the object state.

Can you give an example of using const with function parameters?

Sure! Here's an example:

void printValue(const int value) {
    std::cout << value << std::endl;
}

In this case, value cannot be modified inside the function.

What about using const with pointers?

When using pointers, you can have const pointers or pointers to const. For example:

const int* ptr = &value; // Pointer to const int
int* const ptr2 = &value; // Const pointer to int

Are there any performance benefits to using const?

Yes, using const can help the compiler optimize the code better, as it knows certain variables won't change. This can lead to improved performance.